Standard Presentation 2024 Australian Marine Sciences Association Annual Meeting combined with NZMSS

Discovering the role of rare, endangered and culturally important marine predators in the Tasman Fracture Marine Park   (#462)

Mary-Anne Lea 1 2 3 , Dahlia Foo 1 , Sam Thalmann 4 , Julie McInnes 1 , Sheryl Hamilton 1 4 , Chris Chapman 5 , Brian Miller 6 , Demelza Wall 1 , Georgia Mergard 1 , Jarrod Edwards 7 , Josh Miller 7 , Ben Viola 1 6 , Peter Puskic 1 8 , David Green 1 3 , Nigel Helyer 9 , Neville Barrett 1
  1. Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Battery Point, TAS, Australia
  2. Centre for Marine Socioecology, Hobart
  3. ACEAS, Hobart
  4. Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, Marine Conservation Program, Hobart
  5. CSIRO, Hobart
  6. Australian Antarctic Division, Kingston
  7. Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, Working on Country Rangers, Hobart
  8. CSIRO, Centre for Marine Socioecology, Hobart
  9. Sonic Objects Pty Ltd, Old Erowal Bay

The Tasman Fracture Marine Park in southwestern Tasmania is characterised by a pelagic system enriched by the upwelling of cool Southern Ocean waters, leading to increased productivity. This phenomenon, evidenced by shifts in fur seal distributions and improvements in pup conditions, sets the stage for our project. Our aim was to deepen our understanding of the park's environmental and cultural values through a collaborative effort involving local scientific bodies, community groups, and indigenous organisations. Focusing on long-nosed, and Australian fur seals, short-tailed shearwaters and the Tasmanian endemic shy albatross, this multi-faceted research leverages at-sea tracking, diet studies, passive acoustic monitoring, and active hydroacoustic surveys to bridge significant knowledge gaps in habitat use, predator-prey interactions, ocean climatology and the broader ecological dynamics within this marine park, adjacent waters and connectivity between marine parks. Our study underscores the importance of multidisciplinary approaches in marine conservation. The findings aim to inform adaptive management strategies and policy formulations that respect both the cultural and ecological values of the TFMP. By fostering an inclusive dialogue among scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders, this project contributes to the overarching goal of sustainable and holistic marine resource management in the face of changing oceanic conditions.